Dam Pagoda - Thousand-year-old ancient pagoda

26/10/2022 14:18

(BNP) – Dam Pagoda is an ancient temple located on Dam mountain (Nam Son ward, Bac Ninh city, Bac Ninh province). The temple worships Buddha and Nguyen Phi Y Lan. The pagoda also has many names: Dam Pagoda, Lam Son, "Canh Long Dong Khanh", "Than Quang Tu".


The Tam Bao (Three treasures) building has an architecture of Chinese “Cong” letter.

According to historical records and legends, the pagoda was personally chosen by Nguyen Phi Y Lan and built from the winter of 1086 to 1094. It was considered "the largest Buddhist center of Dai Viet". This is an important project, so King Ly Nhan Tong took great care of it. When the pagoda was completed, he gave the name "Canh Long Dong Khanh".







 

Over the long period of history, the pagoda has been restored and embellished many times. During the resistance war against the French, the pagoda was demolished. After peace was restored, in 1986, local people built 3 small pagodas on the old ground to worship Buddha.



 

Inheriting archaeological results, from 2015 up to now, Bac Ninh province has implemented the master plan and built the " Dam mountain cultural and ecological relic area”. Dam pagoda was restored and embellished with a large scale.



The system of Buddha statues is cast in gilded bronze.

Currently, Tam Bao building has an architecture of Chinese “Cong” letter including Tien Duong, Thieu Huong and Thuong Dien.

Tien duong has 7 compartments, 2 lean-tons, 4 curved roofs.





Horizontal lacquered board (engraved with Chinese characters), pair of wood panels, incense, hammock doors ... are skillfully crafted by Bac Ninh artisans.

In addition, the pagoda also has the Ancestral House, the Mother House. Each building has 3 compartments, lean-tons, 4 curved roofs.



The stone pillar is recognized as a national treasure, dating from the 11th century.

At present, the pagoda still preserves at the stone pillar of Dam pagoda dating from the 11th century, which has been recognized as a national treasure of historical and artistic value. In the pagoda, there are also worshiping statues and worshiping objects that are newly created in the 21st century such as: 03 statues of Tam The, a set of Dida Tam Ton statues, a set of Hoa Nghiem Tam Thanh statues, 01 Ngoc Hoang statue, 01 Maitreya statue, 01 Quan Am statue, Phap Phap statue, Monsignor statue, Thanh Hien statue, Bat Bo Diamond statue, Diem King statue, Nguyen Phi Y Lan statue, King Ly Nhan Tong statue…


 

The pagoda is located halfway to the east - south of Dam mountain, looking down at the field in front is Con Rua mountain, in the distance is the Tao Khe river and Thien Duc river. In front of the temple, there is a ditch running from the foot of the mountain to the riverbank called Con Ten stream.


The Mother house.

Dam Pagoda is a religious work built a long time ago to worship Buddha, Mother Goddesses, and monks. In addition, the pagoda also worships Mrs. Nguyen Phi Y Lan (who had merit in building the temple in the Ly Dynasty).


The Ancestral House.

The pagoda festival takes place every year on September 8 (lunar calendar).

Dam pagoda was ranked as a historical and cultural relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information - Decision No. 29 -VH/QD dated January 13, 1964.

By P.H